Stump removal

[wedge40]

I'll post photos later today, but right now I'll try and describe my problem. I rented a 3ton excavator to remove some stumps. Took awhile to learn just how to operate the thing. I've always admired people who make it look easy, and now it has grown. Maybe I'm just challenged.
I have one stump "dug". This means I have a trench dug around the stump, probably about 12' in diameter. Now how do I get the root ball removed. I dug the trench too far from the stump to get a good grip with the FEL. I'm trying to avoid digging an access ramp to break the stump loose from the ground. Anyone have any suggestions on how to break the stump from the ground? I haven't hooked a chain up to see if I can just pull it loose. But for some reason I just think that's going to work.

Wedge

 

[newbury]

I'll post photos later today, but right now I'll try and describe my problem. I rented a 3ton excavator to remove some stumps.

Does it have a thumb?

Took awhile to learn just how to operate the thing. I've always admired people who make it look easy, and now it has grown. Maybe I'm just challenged.
I have one stump "dug". This means I have a trench dug around the stump, probably about 12' in diameter. Now how do I get the root ball removed.

How big is the stump? Depends on the "root" ball, I had a deep tap root.

I dug the trench too far from the stump to get a good grip with the FEL.

Dig deeper.

I'm trying to avoid digging an access ramp to break the stump loose from the ground. Anyone have any suggestions on how to break the stump from the ground?

Use the excavator or your BH to "wiggle" it.

 

[wedge40]

Ok here are a couple of photos.
I have to correct my self. The hole is about 6' wide not 12'

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k190/wedge40/Stump removal/DSC_0067.jpg

 

[wedge40]

Does it have a thumb?

No thumb.

How big is the stump? Depends on the "root" ball, I had a deep tap root.

The stump is about 12" in diameter. I have either poplar or sugar maple to deal with.. I'm pretty sure most of these are poplar

Dig deeper.

I'm already about 2' down.. Like I said I can't get close enough to pick at with the FEL. How big was that one you have in the photo? I need to plan better as I have few that are 18"-20" in diameter.

Use the excavator or your BH to "wiggle" it.

Tired that a little.. First this morning I'll see what the tractor and chain can do. I've also though about looping a cable around the root ball and as I pull it will narrow like a noose, cutting the stump free.

Wedge

 

[newbury]

Ok here are a couple of photos.
I have to correct my self. The hole is about 6' wide not 12'

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k190/wedge40/Stump removal/DSC_0067.jpg

That links 1 photo, dig deeper.

 

[JoelD]

Based on the photo I'd say you need to dig deeper.

For stump removal I rented a 12 ton machine and it was just enough. One thing to remember, at least on the oaks and other hardwood I deal with the center root stem goes way down, I've had to dig about 5 foot deep to get near the bottom, then with excavator, I peel it out using the stump to grab onto.

One thing with stumps, other than pines, which don't count, you've got to dig a lot deeper than you'd expect.

I"ve got a post on the subject.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-owning-operating/141898-stump-little-too-big-kioti.html

In the end I think you need to dig deeper. Otherwise like trying to pull a carrot out of the ground straight up, near impossible on a stump.

Joel

 

[BarryinMN]

Dig deeper.

I generally start digging stumps up against the stump moving out until the backhoe can rip the roots.

Then go down and get under it.

Keeps the hole smaller diameter but deeper.

 

[wedge40]

Well after a few more hours, I managed to get it to wiggle with the excavator. I went back and dug about a 1' deeper. After lunch I think I'll try the tractor again. I started on a second stump and this one I'm trying to dig as close to the stump as possible. It's taken me awhile to learn how to tear through roots. You can get through some pretty big roots if you peel a little at time off. Good thing I've got the excavator for a week.
Also there are two mounting point on the bucket. One is close to the pivot point and one is farther aways. Which one gives more torque? I'm guessing the one farthest away?

Wedge

 

[newbury]

You list a BH in your sig, did you try that?

Oh, and if you want to post a pic with your reply/post go down to additional options and manage attachments.

 

[wedge40]

Yes I have a backhoe and I did try that but I wasn't too keen on spending 1 whole day or longer on a stump, and having to use an ax etc. So I rented an excavator. Kind of wishing I would have stepped up one more size though.

Success.
First Photo is where I was at this morning. Notice the second stump in the background to the right. I managed to get that stump out first and it was bigger. Second and third photos are of the problem child.. I had a heck of time getting it out of the hole once I broke it loose. I learned from the second stump that you kind have to feel your way around and stay as close to the stump as possible. The second root ball was much smaller and easier to handle. Last photo is of the hole from the two stumps and it shows the next victim.

Thanks for the pointers

 

[johnk]

Looks like you did a great job. At least they're out of the holes..

 

[newbury]

GOOD WORK!!

 

[Botabill]

I'll post photos later today, but right now I'll try and describe my problem. I rented a 3ton excavator to remove some stumps. Took awhile to learn just how to operate the thing. I've always admired people who make it look easy, and now it has grown. Maybe I'm just challenged.
I have one stump "dug". This means I have a trench dug around the stump, probably about 12' in diameter. Now how do I get the root ball removed. I dug the trench too far from the stump to get a good grip with the FEL. I'm trying to avoid digging an access ramp to break the stump loose from the ground. Anyone have any suggestions on how to break the stump from the ground? I haven't hooked a chain up to see if I can just pull it loose. But for some reason I just think that's going to work.

Wedge

The one stump that stumped me as far as getting it out of the hole due to weight is now deep in the ground rotting. I simply dug down deeper and pushed it in. Happy happy joy joy.

 

[JoelD]

Nice getting the first couple behind you.

Stumping, other than ledge, is the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with.

There is no substitute for machine size when it comes to stumping.

I got the 25000 lb machine for 8 hours for $500 delivered, I was shocked at how fast I got through my work. I'll be renting the same size machine next time I need to dig or move anything significant again. There is an exponential effect of size of machine on the amount of work that can be done.

Good luck with the digging, in my book, any seat time is a good seat time.

Sincerely,
Joel

 

[Airic]

Haven't you guys heard. Size does not matter, it's how you use it. I have a little MF2310 and have become quite skilled at removing stumps and ones far larger than the one in your photo. First is digging deep, at least 4'. I typically go to 5' if it is 12" or larger. This enables you to loosen the tap root. Other trick is to tear the roots with the bucket in small bites. I typically point the tooth of the bucket down on top of the root, press down to put as much weight on the root and then curl the bucket and it tears the root. In addition, keep your stumps long if you can. This helps with leverage when trying to pop that tap root out.

 

[20 20]

I've popped many stumps with little machines use 4000lb excavtor now. Learning the machine and being patient will get you a long way. The BEST advice I ever got or can give is "BE READY TO DIG !!!".

 

[kthompson]

The one stump that stumped me as far as getting it out of the hole due to weight is now deep in the ground rotting. I simply dug down deeper and pushed it in. Happy happy joy joy.

The comment about deep in the ground rotting...may not be 100% true. Well at least what the true pros have said if deep enough oxygen can not get to it, it will not rot. I know about 30 miles from me they dug up some trees that were buried a few feet deep they said were hundreds of years old and still good wood. I remember a few years back it was a in thing to not burn or haul off stumps but to bury them DEEP and a lot that we did live next door to was cleared that way oh about 25 or more years back and the best I know no sink hole has shown up. We do have high water level and that probably does affect this. We are filling in a low area and was assured the stumps that will be getting about 4 or more feet of fill over will never rot and will remain solid.

 

[JoelD]

Haven't you guys heard. Size does not matter, it's how you use it. I have a little MF2310 and have become quite skilled at removing stumps and ones far larger than the one in your photo. First is digging deep, at least 4'. I typically go to 5' if it is 12" or larger. This enables you to loosen the tap root. Other trick is to tear the roots with the bucket in small bites. I typically point the tooth of the bucket down on top of the root, press down to put as much weight on the root and then curl the bucket and it tears the root. In addition, keep your stumps long if you can. This helps with leverage when trying to pop that tap root out.

Depends very much on type of tree and ground. My oaks have root taps that go much deeper than the stump you got the picture of, including the stump. I've dug 5 foot and not even gotten to the base of the stump where the tap begins, much less being able to break the tap. Took a 25000lb machine to have the power to lift the stump out of the hole once freed. There was no way my 7.5 foot hoe could've gotten to the tap much less break the tap, I've not hit roots I haven't been able to adventually break, but the tap is another story all together.

Also, after 3-4 hours of continuous digging with little progress, was much easier to get the larger machine and do what I couldn't have done period with my machine, done in 10 minutes.

As I've said in the past, I don't think there is anything tougher to work with than hardwood stumps.

Joel

 

[newbury]

If you've got a true tap root I THINK the best thing would to dig as deep as your BH could go, angle in and call in Stihl.

I was just about ready to do that until with a lot of wiggling I broke off my little one.